The New York City Police Department held its annual Pre-Ramadan conference Tuesday, ahead of the religious holidays during the period of observance that begins Sept. 1. Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly presided over the event, attended by approximately 250 Muslim community leaders, police personnel and recent champions of the NYPD’s new youth cricket league. Police Department Imam Khalid Latif delivered the opening prayer.

“Collaboration with the public is a vital ingredient in our efforts to keep the city safe,” Commissioner Kelly said. “The Police Department works continually to promote understanding and cooperation between its members and the vibrant, diverse Muslim community.”

Commissioner Kelly also announced the NYPD would send an officer to an eleventh international city, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The NYPD and Abu Dhabi National Infrastructure Authority formalized an agreement earlier this month to share information and training toward helping the United Arab Emirates capital develop a counterterrorism capacity and protect its critical infrastructure. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and Colonel Muhair Al Khatri Al Nuaimi of the Abu Dhabi National Infrastructure Authority. Commissioner Kelly said an NYPD liaison officer would be assigned to Abu Dhabi in the fall, making it the eleventh international city where the NYPD has assigned officers. Currently NYPD personnel are working in Madrid, London, Paris, Lyon, Tel Aviv, Amman, Singapore, Montreal, Toronto and Santo Domingo.

During Ramadan, the NYPD will increase its presence at mosques citywide with officer visits and patrol vehicles. Police commanders and officers also receive guidelines specific to Ramadan and Islam in anticipation of observances, prayer services and associated logistical considerations.

The pre-Ramadan conference is part of the NYPD’s outreach to the Muslim community, which includes open forums with police leadership and other agencies, and the recent establishment of the “NYPD United” youth soccer league and “NYPD Twenty20 Cricket Cup.” Commissioner Kelly presented the winners of each league with their championship trophy at Tuesday’s conference. The Department also has developed an NYPD Muslim Officers Society, led by Muslim Community Liaison Detective Ahmed Nasser.